Tinsel cord is an extra-flexible cord made with tinsel conductors to give the ultimate in flexibility, used mostly in communications on headsets, handsets, and wherever repeated flexing is necessary.
Tinsel cord is an extremely flexible cord made with tinsel conductors, which are formed from very thin metal ribbons wrapped around a textile core rather than from conventional round strands. This construction gives tinsel cord the ultimate in flexibility and exceptional resistance to fatigue from repeated bending. It is used mostly in the communications field on headsets, handsets, and anywhere that constant, repeated flexing would quickly fatigue ordinary conductors.
Because the tinsel ribbons flex without the fatigue that would break conventional strands, tinsel cord survives the relentless bending of handset and headset cords far better than standard wire. The trade-off is lower current capacity, so tinsel cord is used for low-voltage signal applications.
In commercial and industrial settings, tinsel cord serves communication devices and other equipment subject to constant flexing. Recognizing the term helps in understanding how cords are made to endure repeated bending.
Because the tinsel ribbons flex without the fatigue that would break conventional strands, tinsel cord survives the relentless bending of handset and headset cords far better than standard wire, with the trade-off being lower current capacity, so it is used for low-voltage signal applications.
Recognizing how tinsel conductors deliver extreme flexibility helps illustrate the range of cord available for demanding flex applications such as headset and handset cords in commercial communication systems.
At Windy City Wire, an understanding of flexible cord constructions, including tinsel cord, reflects a focus on matching cable to its application. Recognizing how tinsel conductors deliver extreme flexibility helps illustrate the range of cord available for demanding flex applications.